21. Amaya

When Siderus asked me to join him for a party in his mansion, I was immediately overwhelmed. What would all the highborn khuzuth think of me there? A lowly Marchioness, a human Marchioness at that.

I can already feel the eyes upon me, those violet eyes steeped in magic concentration. They've seen me at my most vulnerable, seen me used and exploited. How can I ever gain their respect? Maybe I don't really need it, but I still want it for Siderus's sake. For my brother's sake, for the chance to see him again.

Siderus faces the mirror, shirtless, his pectorals twitching as he fastens the trousers of his uniform, a navy blue, military-style suit. He looks stunningly elvish, unreal but also human at the same time.

Those muscles are so thick and toned that they seem to come from magic, and I bite my upper lip gazing at them. He has thrown me down, taken my body for others to see, though I still marvel at the utter strength of his body.

He looks up in the mirror, meeting my gaze. "What is it, dear?"

Dear? What has gotten into him?

Just yesterday he was standoffish, perhaps still embarrassed by the slave ceremony. Perhaps brooding on killing his uncle. But peace has come, and it seems to have reached even Siderus finally. Not that I have anything to complain about. "Oh, nothing."

He raises his eyebrows, puzzled. "You're sulking there. Tell me."

I want to zip my lips shut. I don't need to worry him with my petty problems, my insecurities. I sit up on the bed and straighten my dress. "What will they say?"

Siderus takes a step toward me. "What will who say?"

"The khuzuth. Your friends."

"What will they say about what?"

"Me. Me as your pet. As your lover."

Siderus chuckles deep into his shirt. "They'll say you're a good slave. An obedient pet. What else could you want?"

"I want them to see me. Me, as in a Marchioness. A lady."

"Amaya, my dear," Siderus says, sitting down on the bed next to her. "We have to play along to do this right. I've defeated the corruption that was my uncle. The King holds me in high regard." He stands up to button up his shirt. "And your father's name is cleared."

At the mention of my father, my chest begins to flutter. I never would have thought even a week ago that I could miss somebody so much, especially when considering my brother Rafthin. I hope they're safe. I would gladly take their place, even though I love Siderus with all my heart.

I get up and fold my arms around his waist. "I just want you all to myself."

"You do," he says. He turns around and holds my face in his hands. "Don't worry about them. It's just you and me, from now on." He stares into my eyes as he kisses me, lips slightly apart, his jaw agape.

I curl in my legs and snuggle against his hard abdomen. I think of his body being there, hard and fast, towering over me and protecting me from the world. "My Duke," I say into his chest.

"My Duchess," he says back into my hair. "And Marchioness, too."

I smile like a little girl. "It's time for them to greet their Duke, sir."

Siderus gently lifts my head from him and stands up straight. "Indeed it is," he says. He secures his shirt and doublet, turning on point like a soldier.

Siderus's servant, a small young zagfer with a surprisingly loud voice, announces us in the ballroom. Although it is dark, along the side walls dozens of candelabras flicker against the wallpaper.

Soon silhouettes emerge. People's faces grow out of them as they move, and soon names are given to these faces. Most are Duke Siderus's khuzuth acquaintances, mostly elves from older money or former friends of his uncle. They walk with an air of false dignity, often looking up at the ceiling, as if that is where all the noble people escape to when the rest start to mingle.

I don't recognize a single one. Siderus tends to distance himself from his caste as much as he can in all his modesty. The fact that he is in love with me, his subject, his pet, and his slave, probably sets him apart from his peers. If they only knew the half of it. I can only hope he needs me more than he needs them.

My mind goes back to the ceremony that his uncle organized. Khuzuth everywhere with their possessions, deep in the pleasure of their flesh in sight of everybody else.

It wasn't until I took Siderus in my mouth in front of his cousin that I felt real humiliation. I could feel all those rich elf eyes on me at the moment, scrutinizing my hunger and technique. Something private for me became the entertainment of strangers, and something inside me was lost. Something I can never get back, especially while among the khuzuth.

But on that chain and collar, crawling on my hands and knees, I began to desire submission to Siderus. I tried to fight it, but the excitement wouldn't leave.

I was his, and I wanted them to see that. I wanted them to see what his manliness could do to me. When he entered me, a hot wave of passion swelled up from my genitals to my face, numbing it in ecstasy.

I couldn't see the crowd but I could feel them, feel their eyes witnessing Siderus's cock pummeling his property. I wanted them to see him dominate me and lose himself in passion. With each thrust, I was carried away to bliss, and the fact that everybody could see made it that much more dangerous. Much more exciting.

"Amaya," Siderus says. He is standing in front of me with an arm outstretched. "Would you honor me in a dance?"

I shake my head, ridding myself of my musing and focusing on my beloved. "Yes," I say. "Sorry, I was thinking about something."

Siderus raises his eyebrows. "Oh?"

"Yes, my dear." I bat my eyes at him. "Thoughts of you and your mastery over me."

A smile grows over his face. "Good," says Siderus. "Let your master be the guide. Come dance."

Trumpets and drums give way to flutes and thin cymbals mixed in a sensual, cascading waltz. This is a dance of seduction. He is the possessor. We start in the middle of the dance floor. His chest towers over me and he uses it to guide, holding my arms behind my back.

When he dips me for the first time, I lose my breath. Every inch of nerve inside me lights up, and warmth seethes through my sex. His total control has me lost in feeling and desire. My feet follow his lead, and I release myself to his whim.

We stop back at the center of the floor. I feel his sweat against my shoulder. I breathe quicker, coming back to thought as we separate.

And then in the crowd, I see them. My family.

My father holds a golden goblet to his mouth, drinking deeply. My brother stands beside him, looking off into the distance, past me to somewhere across the room.

It isn't until Rafthin catches my eye that I know it's real. We meet in our respective gazes. He widens his big blue eyes, and I start to run toward him through the crowd, pushing forward while holding my dress up. His smile full of white teeth stretches across his face as I approach greedily.

We hug in an embrace so tight, I fear my bodice will rip.

"Oh, Amaya," Rafthin says into my shoulder. "We thought it was over."

I start to cry. Even though we may not be related by blood, I have never felt such a deep connection to anybody in my life, except for Siderus. I cover my face out of embarrassment, but Rafthin produces a handkerchief to wipe away my cascading tears.

"My light," says a voice from behind me. It's my father's deep croon. I turn around to see his bearded face light up.

We embrace. "He's done it, my dear," my father"s muffled voice vibrates into my neck. "We're vindicated. All thanks to Duke Siderus."

"But how –"

My father pats the back of my head. "He did a great thing for the kingdom. For all of us."

"I did it for you," Siderus says from behind. "For you and your family."

I spin around to see Siderus holding an enchanted box. A blue aura swirls around it, perhaps for protection of whatever is inside.

"How can I ever –" I begin, but Siderus puts up his hand.

"Not necessary. Come here, I want to show you something."

I walk up to the box in his hands. With a wave of a hand and some words, he removes the enchantment. "Open it," he says.

I feel a little trepidation, unsure of the magic that was there. I unlock the little level in the front and with both hands raise the lid. It creaks.

Inside is the biggest ring I have ever seen. Gilded in pure gold, the diamonds are stacked high upon each other and glisten in the candlelight.

"What is this?" I ask. I look around the room. Every eye is staring at me like I'm a bug in a jar. The silence pulses in my ears.

Juilius takes the ring from its cushion in the box. He gets down on one knee, bowing his head.

"My dear Amaya," he says, looking up. "You have opened my eyes for the first time in my life. Before I only knew the darkness that lingered before magic, but now I realize that the light of the world shines on us all."

He looks straight up at me, his eyes piercing my innermost spirit. "You have shown me a world in which elf and man live together, the corrupt can be stopped, and the just can reign free."

"Oh, Siderus." I cover my mouth.

"Will you do me the honor of becoming my mate for life?"

I looked around the room again, this time with a better understanding of myself and my surroundings. Some elves smile, some look concerned, and the children sit motionless and take it all in. So many people, so many expectations.

"Yes!" I exclaim. I jump into Siderus's arms, tight against his pectorals beneath his shirt.

When he lets me down, my father and brother both hug me in unison. I look my brother Rafthin in the eyes and get lost. He's so caring, so loveable. I plant a kiss on his cheek.

The trumpets sound their final call. I feel my stomach flip over, and an electric pulse travels the length of my spine.

My dream has come true. My love has taken final possession over me.

Siderus places the ring on my finger. "There you are."

"But how?" I ask. "I'm a human. It's forbidden."

Siderus smiled. "The King. A favor for – saving the realm, let's say. He sends his regards."

Arm in arm, the new couple waves. I smile without trying, reveling in the newfound glory of promised matrimony.

I am owned by an elf Duke. Life can't get any better.